Garrett College student Musulyn Pinney participated in Giant Jenga during GC’s “Exam Jam” last Wednesday.
It’s no secret – final exams are a stress-inducing activity for most college students. Garrett College is using research-based strategies to try to reduce some of that stress level.
“The main purpose is to give students an opportunity to participate in fun, stress-relieving activities so they can prepare for final exams,” GC Learning Commons Director Ashley Ruby said of “Exam Jam”, which took place last Wednesday.
“Exam Jam” featured therapy dogs, games, food, wellness strategies, stationary mountain bikes, and even reptiles courtesy of the College’s Wildlife Club. The College’s student-run Campus Advisory & Activities Board and community partners included the Garrett County Health Department and the Dove Center were among the organizations that collaborated with GC’s Learning Commons on the event.
“There’s research and science behind the value of having students let loose a little bit and not think about academics,” said Ruby. “An event like this hopefully refreshes the students and gets them ready for finals.”
Ruby noted that the Learning Commons hosts a similar event – the Laker Launch Party – at the start of each fall and spring semester.
“That event has some of the same activities,” added Ruby. “It’s intentionally designed to bring students into the space and introduce them to the academic support services provided by the Learning Commons – tutoring, advising, research assistance, testing, career and transfer guidance – early in the semester.”
Garrett College’s spring semester final exams start May 9th.
